Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch at her weekly news briefing on Thursday confirmed that Pakistan has made a formal request to join BRICS, an important group of developing countries.
The spokesperson said the government had taken this decision after having noted the BRICS-related developments in Johannesburg.
She said by joining the organisation, Pakistan could play an important role in furthering international cooperation and revitalisation of inclusive multilateralism.
She hoped that BRICS would move forward on Pakistan’s request in line with its commitment for inclusive multilateralism.
The spokesperson said Pakistan enjoyed friendly ties with most members of the BRICS as well as the newly-invited group of countries.
Baloch said Pakistan was an ardent supporter of multilateralism and was member of several such organisations. She said the country had played an important role for global peace and development.
When asked about the conspiracy foiled by the United States to assassinate a Sikh leader, the spokesperson recalled that Pakistan had long been a target of India’s state-sponsored terrorism, subversion and espionage.
She said India’s network of espionage and extraterritorial killings had gone global. Condemning and expressing concerns over it, she said India’s irresponsible and reckless conduct was a clear violation of international laws.
Responding to a question about the banning of Halal Food in Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, Baloch said this was yet another manifestation of increasing Islamophobia in India. She said the banning of Halal Food was an affront to the rights and freedoms of Muslims in India.
Pakistan, she said, was concerned over the terror threat emanating from Afghanistan. She said the government expected the Afghan authorities to take immediate action against the terrorist entities so that they would not pose any threat to Pakistan.
The spokesperson said Pakistan supported the call for an international peace conference on Palestinian question.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar will undertake an official visit to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to participate in the World Climate Action Summit scheduled to commence on the 1st of next month as part of the UN Climate Change Conference COP28.
The FO spokesperson said the foreign minister and the minister for climate change would be part of the delegation. She said the prime minister’s schedule in Dubai includes participation in the high-level events at the summit and bilateral meetings with counterparts from participating countries.
The prime minister will present Pakistan’s vision for climate change and call for implementing common climate commitments across all areas including mitigation, adaptation, climate finance and loss and damage fund.
